The Excursion from Baltimore

Wheeling Intelligencer
January 15, 1853

We find in the last Baltimore papers, the following records of the various incidents attending the
excurtionists from Baltimore. Though somewhat the reverse of the natural order of chronicleing events,
considering the long accounts we have published of the subsequent proceedings, we insert them,
believing they will be read with interest by many of our readers:

HARPER'S FERRY, January 10th. - At 91/2 o'clock this morning, two special trains of cars left the
Camden street Depot in Baltimore, conveying about 500 invited guests, en route for Wheeling, to
participate in the celebration on Tuesday and Wednesday, of the completion and opening of the Bal
and Ohio Railroad - that grand national highway which, uniting with iron bands, the South and West, is
destined, to produce a new era in the future trade and travel of the country, whilst it may also be
regarded as one of the main connections in the link of roads that will before many years enable the
traveler to proceed with locomotive speed from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The Virginia and Maryland Press, the practical and fast friends of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and
all other works of Internal Improvement, are fully represented, and are, as they should be, among the
most honored guests of the company.

Among the officers of the Road, the following were in the trains: John H B Latrobe, Counsellor of the
Company; Wm Parker, General Superintendent; Lewis M Cole, Master of Transportation; Samuel J
Hays, Master of Machinery; Wendall Bollman, Master of Road; Dr Thomas C Atkinson, Assistant
Master of Road; Joseph Brown, Master of Trains, and J I Atkinson, Treasurer.

The presence of the universally esteemed and popular ex-Mayor of Baltimore, John H T Jerome, with
his right hand man, Major Edward Spedden, City Commissioner, affords much satisfaction to their
numerous friends. It is, however, a matter of regret that the pressure of official business has prevented
the attendance of his Honor, Mayor Hollins.

The refreshment cars are each fitted up with tables running through the centre, with servants to supply
the wants of the throng of visitors with the abundance of inner comforts provided by Messrs. Guy, of
the United States Hotel, to whose special care the commissary department of the whole excursion has
been entrusted - a sure guarantee that the company will be well and abundantly provided for. The cars,
which are handsomely decorated with flags, are new, and of the most splendid and comfortable
construction. The Independent Blues Band, under Professor Holland, occupy a prominent position,
adding much to the pleasure of the company by their excellent music. On leaving the depot, they very
appropriately struck up the "Railroad Quickstep."

The railroad extending from the depot as far down as the Locust Point Junction, was crowded by
thousands of spectators who had assembled to witness the departure of the train, which drawn by two
powerful locomotives, dashed along in fine style.

At the Mount Clare Depot, the workmen employed in the machine shops of the Railroad Company
turned out a thousand strong and greeted the departing train with the waving of flags and enthusiastic
cheers, which met a hearty response from the excursionists. We sped along rapidly, and in a short time
passed the Relay House and the flourishing little towns of Avalon and Ilchester, at all of which places
we found large numbers of persons congregated about the track who welcomed us with cheers.
Winding along the Patapeco with its wild and romantic scenery, we soon reached Ellicott's Mills; but
thundered through the town without stopping. Here, as at all the other stations on the road, large
crowds of enthusiastic people were gathered, in response to whose cheers, the Blues' Band discoursed
most excellent music. After leaving Ellicott's, we passed the Grey Stone Mills of Elysville, and the
towns of Woodstock, Sykesville and Monravia and Ijamsville. At Monocacy, the next place of note,
we passed the down train to Baltimore; and whilst waiting for the second excursion train, partook of a
somptuous dinner. The inhabitants of Monocacy turned out in large numbers and displayed much
enthusiasm. In a short time, the second train came up, and we again got under way and the trains being
about a mile apart. The weather is extremely mild, and as we pass along, we see the farmers busily
engaged in ploughing. The road is in most excellent order.

At the Pooint [sic] of Rocks we had the first view of the majestic Potomac, and of the towering cliffs
which seems to ascend to the very clouds. Two of the eight sbares of the new bridge in the course of
erection at this point have been completed. The Canal is in the navigable order and doing a good
business. I learn that there are two distinguished artistes in the train, who intend to remain on the road
and take drawing of its bridges, scenes, views, tunnels, architecture, &c., with descriptions of the
mountains which they will publish in an illustrated form.

At the Fredrick Station we were joined by ex-Governor Frank Thomas, W. Pinkey Anderson, a
member of the Legislature, Col. Anthony Kimmel and Mayor Bartgus, of Frederick.

I discover that there are no less than four ex-Mayors of Baltimore participants in the excursion, vis:
Messrs. Jerome, Davies, Hunt and Hillen.

Rapidly passing Weverton which from a thriving town has degenerated into an almost deserted village,
at a quarter to 2 o'clock we reached Harper's Ferry. The people were assembled here in great
numbers, including the workmen of the Government Works, but we barely got a glimpse of them, as the
train passed through without stopping, and I barely had time to drop you the above despatch. So far
everything has passed of[f] delightfully and the Company are in the highest possible spirits.

CUMBERLAND, 10 P. M. - After leaving Harper's Ferry, we were greeted with much enthusiasm by
large crowds assembled at all the intermediate stations between Martinsburg and the Harper's Ferry.

At 3 o'clock we reached the thriving town of Martinsburg, where we stopped a short time to take in
wood and water. The whole population seemed to be assembled at the depot, who received us with
every demonstration of joy. Here are located the extensive intermediate work shops of the Railroad
Company, which have added greatly to the wealth and prosperity of the place. All who travel over the
90 odd miles of this great throughfare that passes through Virginia from Harper's Ferry to Patterson's
Creek, must feel convinced from the geographical aspect of the country, that without it, this region
would be almost a desert waste.

After leaving Martinsburg, we passed through a country for many miles almost a barren waste, the
principal staple being staves and hoop poles, until we reached the Great Cacapon, with its rich grazing
vallies. Just before reaching Hancock we had a fine view of old Fort Frederick, built in 1752, standing
on an eminence, its battlements still wearing an impregnable aspect.

During the afternoon there was a constant succession of visits to the refreshment car – many sentiments
were proposed, one of which is worthy of record - "Napoleon conquered the Alps and Swann the
Alleghanies." This was drunk with gusto.

A despatch was received by Mr. Sollers from Gov. Lowe, at Harper's Ferry, stating that he had
proceeded to the Pratt St. Depot and from thence to Mt. Clair, not knowing of the Camden Street
Depot, and thus missed the cars. President Swann on learning the facts, sent back messengers to
Martinsburg with a despatch to Gov. Lowe, requesting him to come on in the evening train and he
would overtake us at Fetterman's or Fairmont.

We reached Doe Gully Tunnel at 40 minutes past 4 o'clock, and water station No. 12, 150 miles from
Baltimore at 5 o'clock.

We arrived at Cumberland at 6 1/2 o'clock, and found an immense assemblage congregated at the
Depot, who greeted us with enthusiastic plaudits to which we responded with equal warmth. We then
proceeded to the Revere and Virginia Houses for our suppers, when we were soon joined by the
passengers of the second train. Most excellent suppers for the entire company were served up by our
worthy hosts, and from 8 till 10 o'clock the excursionists spent their time strolling through the town, and
visiting their acquaintances. At 10 o'clock the whistle of the locomotive summoned all hands to the
Depot, and we expect soon to enter the gorges of the Alleghy, speeding our way to the top of the
mountain ranges as merry and joyous a party as ever followed in the wake of a locomotive.

The arrangements of the Company have been admirably carried out, and nothing has occurred to mar
the enjoyment of the party which numbers fully 500, two-thirds of whom express their determination to
continue on to Cincinnati and Louisville. Hopes are entertained that Gov. Lowe will join us to-morrow.

We will reach Fairmont at 6 o'clock in the morning, when Col. Guy is prepared to give us a hearty
breakfast. We expect to arrive in Wheeling between 12 and 10 o'clock, in time for the dinner.